George l



(No Model.)

G. L. WHEELOGK.

GAME APPARATUS.

Patented June 2, 1896.

ail

NITED TATES T ATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. lVI-IEELOCK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,366, dated June 2, 1896.

Application filed July 24, 1895. Serial No. 557,023. (No model.)

To all whom zit may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE Lwnnnnoox, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of game apparatus wherein small balls or pellets are moved about by the manual manipulation of a box or board in or on which they are placed.

The device is an imitation hurdle-race in miniature; and it consists, broadly, in a box or board provided with a series of successive hurdles or obstructions which small balls, pellots, or other movable bodies, representing men, are caused to pass by manipulating the box or board.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modification, showing a board provided with hurdles. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section showing still another form of the device, and Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the latter.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

In the preferred form of my invention, a represents a board of preferably oblong shape, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and S, which, when provided with sides or a marginal frame I), as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, forms a box. Secured .in any suitable way to the board a is a longitudinal series of strips d, each strip being arranged crosswise of the same. The strips are placed at regular intervals apart, and there are spaces 0 between the ends of the strips and the sides of the box or board. These spaces 0 are provided by making the strips of a length less than the Width of the box or board and disposing them along the longitudinal center thereof. Projecting from the upper edge of each strip d, so as to form baffles or wards, are a number of shoulders or flanges c.

Pellets, small balls, or other movable bodies f constitute the men that are caused to jump the hurdles or obstructions formed by the strips. These pellets or balls are preferably of difierent colors, the main object of the game being to cause them to jump the hurdles or obstructions one at a time without rolling off at the sides. Should one pellet or ball happen to properly jump the hurdles or obstructions in advance of the other or others that is the winner. The device is taken in the hand and given quick upward movements, thus making the pellets or balls jump. The baffles formed by the shoulders e interfere more or less with the jumping of the balls, so that the interest of the game is enhanced.

To prevent the pellets or balls rolling off too easily at the sides of the hurdles or obstructions formed by said strips or pieces (Z, the bottom of the box is preferably lined with a piece of cloth or other suitable material.

Figsxi and 5 illustrate a modification Wherein, by reason of the bottom of the box or board a being formed with inclines g, extending upwardly from each end of the hurdles or obstructions, the pellets or balls may, besides being caused to jump, be caused to roll around the latter. This is a difficult feat to accomplish when the manipulator endeavors to retain all but one pellet or ball at the startingpoint. The above formation of the board provides a deeper portion that extends lengthwise thereof and across which the hurdles or obstructions extend.

Other forms of hurdles or obstructions, movable bodies, and of the box or board, and other methods of manipulating the device will readily occur to skilled artisans, and I do not limit myself to the precise construction shown and described.

The device is preferably made of stifi pasteboard or wood; but any other suitable material, such as sheet metal, may of course be employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A game apparatus, comprising a box or board, and a series of hurdles or obstructions provided with spaced or notched baffles, over which hurdles movable bodies are adapted to pass, substantially as set forth.

2. A game apparatus, comprising a box or board, a series of hurdles or obstructions, and spaced or notched baffles at the upper parts of the latter, over which hurdles movable bodies are adapted to pass substantially as set forth.

3. A game apparatus, comprising a box, a series of successive hurdles, the ends of which terminate at a short distance from the side Walls of the box, baflies at the upper parts of the hurdles, and movable bodies adapted to jump said hurdles in imitation of a hurdlerace, by shaking said box or board, substantially as set forth.

4. A game apparatus, comprising a box or board, a series of transverse hurdles or obstructions extending approximately from end to end of the same, at right angles to the side Walls thereof, and having spaces at each end, and movable bodies, all of less diameter than the width of said spaces, whereby they are adapted to pass said hurdles Without j umping, substantially as set forth.

5. A game apparatus, comprisin a box or board, deeper at its middle than at its sides,

and a series of hurdles or obstructions transverse thereof, over and around which hurdles or obstructions, pellets or balls are adapted to pass, said hurdles or obstructions terminating at about the sides of the deeper middle portion of. the box, substantially as set forth.

6. A game apparatus, comprising a box or board, hurdles or obstructions, and inclines at the sides of the hurdles or obstructions, over or around Which latter pellets or balls are adapted to pass, said hurdles terminating at about the lower portions of the inclines, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE L. \VIIEELOOK.

\Vitnesses:

GEORGE W. JAEKEL, H. WILLARD GRIFFITHS. 

